Playtime Compass LogoPlaytime Compass
Back to library
A child sits at a low table, opens a rubber-band-resisted hand, lifts one golf tee from a cup, and passes it to a grown-up.
Fine motorSqueeze And ReleaseIndoor

Rubber Band Tee Pass.

Turn two cups and a rubber band into a tiny strength challenge. With the band loosely around their fingers, your child picks up golf tees one at a time and passes them to a partner, building hand strength and cooperative turn-taking.

Play time
5-10+ min
Age
2-5 years
Energy
Low
Mess
Low
Effort
Low
Where
Indoor
Start here

The recipe.

Low parent effort
4 things

What you need

  • 1 loose rubber band
  • 2 cups
  • 1 cupful of golf tees or similar small objects
  • 1 helper or partner to receive the tees
5 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop
Step 01
Fill one cup with golf tees or similar small objects and leave the second cup empty.
Step 02
Place the full cup in front of your child and the empty cup beside their partner.
Step 03
Slide a loose rubber band around your child's fingers so opening the hand creates gentle resistance without pinching.
"Pass one tee."
The loop

How play unfolds.

Four panels show a grown-up setting out two cups, sliding a loose rubber band onto the child's fingers, the child passing one tee to a helper, and the empty cup filling up across the round.
  1. 01
    Have your child open their banded hand, pick up one tee from the full cup, and pass it to their partner.
  2. 02
    Have the partner drop the tee into the empty cup.
  3. 03
    Repeat until the first cup is empty.

Safety Check

  • Supervise the whole round. Golf tees are small parts, and the rubber band can snap or flick.
  • Keep small pieces out of mouths.
  • Keep the banded hand low and away from faces and eyes.
  • Stop or remove the band if it pinches, slips, snaps, or gets pulled upward.
Skill spotlight
Squeeze And Release

Finger strength for careful grabbing

The same finger strength and control help with small daily jobs, including holding craft pieces, managing clothing pulls, using crayons, and handling utensils with more care.

  • •Opening the fingers against light band resistance gives your child a clear reason to practice hand opening, not just squeezing.
  • •Passing one tee into a helper's ready hand turns the grab into a small shared job, which helps slow the pace and gives waiting a purpose.
  • •Watching one cup empty and the other fill gives the round a visible finish, so repeats feel manageable.
Real-world transfer
  • Holding small snack pieces or craft pieces without dropping them.
  • Pulling fabric, tabs, or simple clothing parts with better finger control.
  • Using crayons, utensils, and small toys with more care.
  • Waiting for another person's ready hand before passing something.
Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder
Level 1 (Start)
Call it the tee passing game and ask for 1 tee.
Level 2 (Keep going)
Wait with an open hand and say when you are ready.
Level 3 (Stretch)
Ask for the next pass to be slow and careful.
Level 4 (Extend)
Let your child choose whether the next pass is quiet or silly.
If your child seems...
What you'd see
Focused
What to do
Say
"You opened, grabbed, and passed."
Add
Count 1 tee after it lands in the cup.
Extend
Ask for 1 extra-slow pass.

Make it easier

Younger end
  • -Put only 1 tee at the top of the full cup so the target is obvious.
  • -Let the helper say "ready" before each pickup so your child does not rush.
  • -Use a shorter round with 1 clear finish line, such as 5 passes.

Make it harder

Older end
  • +Ask your child to pause until the helper's hand is open.
  • +Try a gentle fingertip pass instead of dropping the tee into the helper's palm.
  • +Let your child switch between normal speed and slow-motion passes.

If it's not working

If you see
If child ignores it
Call it a passing game and start with just 3 tees so the finish is easy to see.
If you see
If child misuses it
Remove the band, reset calmly, and model 1 safe open-grab-pass turn before trying again.
If you see
If child gets frustrated
Use fewer tees, move the helper's hand closer, or let your child do 1 unbanded pass before trying the resistance again.

Parent questions

Back to library
Keep playing

Related activities.